Dongle device with video encoding and methods for use therewith

Abstract

A universal serial bus (USB) dongle device includes a USB interface that receives selection data from a host device that indicates a selection of a first video format from a plurality of available formats. The USB interface also receives an input video signal from the host device in the first video format and a power signal from the host device. An encoding module generates a processed video signal in a second video format based on the input video signal, wherein the first video format differs from the second video format. The USB interface transfers the processed video signal to the host device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A universal serial bus (USB) dongle device for use in conjunction with a host device, the USB dongle device comprising:
 a USB interface for receiving selection data from the host device that indicates a selection of a first video format from a plurality of available formats, for receiving an input video signal from the host device in the first video format, for receiving a power signal from the host device, and for transferring a processed video signal to the host device; and 
 an encoding module, coupled to the USB interface and powered by the power signal, that generates the processed video signal in a second video format based on the input video signal, wherein the first video format differs from the second video format; 
 a decoding module, coupled to the USB interface and the encoding module, that when activated by the selection data from the host device, decodes the input video signal from the first video format to generate a decoded video signal; 
 wherein the encoding module generates the processed video signal by encoding the decoded video signal, and wherein the second video format is at least one of, transcoded, transcaled, or transrated, from the first video format. 
 
     
     
       2. The USB dongle device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a decryption module, coupled to the USB interface and the encoding module, that when activated by selection data from the host device, decrypts the video signal from the first video format to generate a decrypted video signal; 
 wherein the encoding module generates the processed video signal by encoding the decrypted video signal. 
 
     
     
       3. The USB dongle device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an encryption module, coupled to the encoding module, that when activated by selection data from the host device, encrypts the processed video signal. 
 
     
     
       4. The USB dongle device of  claim 1  wherein the second format is a selected based on the selection data. 
     
     
       5. A method for use in a universal serial bus (USB) dongle device that is coupleable to a host device via a universal serial bus (USB) interface, the method comprising:
 receiving selection data from the host device via the USB interface that indicates a selection of a first video format from a plurality of available formats; 
 when a decoding module is activated by the selection data from the host device, decoding an input video signal from the first video format to generate a decoded video signal; 
 receiving the input video signal via the USB interface in the first video format; 
 generating a processed video signal in a second video format based on the input video signal, wherein the first video format differs from the second video format, wherein, when the decoding module is activated, the processed video signal is generated by encoding the decoded video signal, and wherein the second video format is at least one of, transcoded, transcaled, or transrated, from the first video format; 
 transferring the processed video signal to the host device via the USB interface; and 
 receiving a power signal from the host device to power the USB dongle device. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the second video format is selected based on the selection data. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5  wherein the first video format includes an encrypted digital format, and wherein the method further comprises:
 decrypting the input video signal from the first video format to generate a decrypted video signal; 
 wherein generating the processed video signal includes encoding the decrypted video. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5  wherein generating the processed video signal includes encryption.